Category: Life Musings

Engaging in Yoga and Meditation sure does have its perks, well if I want to put it that way!

Over the years, my rendezvous with nature has been quite overwhelming, satisfying, mind-boggling and filled with an insane urge to get to know myself better.

Lately, I have been wanting to get closer to nature. I am not talking about travels and treks which I am engaged in already, but this is a calling, deep within to be in touch with the Earth.

Sounds ridiculous eh! Can’t explain to a tee but I wanted to play with soil, mud, plant saplings, grow them and be a part of its growth in a small way.

I have been close to plants all my life, thanks to my parents who are ardent lovers of plants and of course gardening! We have had a garden with innumerable plants each serving its own purpose. The number of plants at home have reduced over the past few years owing to my parents’ physical ailments but we sure have enough to tend to and care for! Dad surely does start by giving the scientific name of the plant and explains everything completely, whenever I ask him a small question about a plant or gardening per say.

So with my passionate folks I have learnt a thing or two about the beautiful beings and it feels like I have grown with them and around them.

But I haven’t quite engrossed myself into the art of planting / growing / tending to them.

Thanks to my inner calling and a suggestion by my friend to do this workshop on Permaculture, I was ready to get my hands dirty the right way! 😉

So this workshop was conducted at the Art of Living premises. This was my first visit to AOL and it was quite a refreshing walk through the premises and to the far end of the ashram where the Permaculture workshop was being held. I crossed by Goshalas (Cow-sheds), banana plantations and numerous fields. The path was narrow, muddy but of course endearing!

The workshop was very interesting and the best part was that we were taught how to make the soil bed with many layers so that moisture could be retained. We also took part in composting, harvesting cabbages and sowing seeds. I wouldn’t want to reveal much about the workshop because I want you to go and experience for yourself if you plan to attend the workshop!

So let me talk a bit about Permaculture.

It is ‘Permanent Agriculture’ which is a means of creating sustainable living by using the natural resources in an efficient way and making use of the resources in hand to the best of our ability. There is no usage of pesticides, artificial chemicals in the process of Permaculture. The produce is obviously fresh, healthy and sumptuous when consumed! 🙂

This would be in line with ‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!’

Permaculture can be done by anyone and anywhere. Be it be in homes, businesses, farms, apartments, community centers, yards, window boxes, waste lands etc.

According to my experience, if one is willing, the art can be learnt easily but one can become proficient only by getting involved in the process and continuing it time and again!

The best part about Permaculture is we can grow our own vegetables, fruits, plants etc. at no massive costs but at a minimal or negligible cost!

I feel Permaculture is an art that everyone should learn and experience.

As city dwellers, we have overlooked the importance of Agriculture, plants, food grains and more so farmers. Farmers take pains to get the produce on time or in innumerable cases seek death! We think anything can be bought but the stark reality is that there is dearth of water, natural resources, fertile soil and in a decade or so we might have to beg for water / food grains.

With Population being on the rise and growing by the minute, with the natural resources depleting, we might have to count days for an apocalypse! I am sorry to term it that way but it is the truth staring at us and we have been overlooking this matter.

Let’s get responsible and start using resources in the best possible and minimal way. We are a speck in the universe and one of the species in this wide world. At the rate of our ignorance and greed, we are surely moving towards the inevitable!

Wake up! Let’s use our resources in a better way. Permaculture is an art anyone can learn. Don’t let your identities, likes and dislikes get in the way, for life is more than that!

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“Teaching children is an accomplishment; getting children excited about learning is an achievement!”

It was a bright sunny day as we drove from Bangalore to Dharmapuri in Tamil Nadu. We were a group of 20 odd people visiting the Isha Vidhya School.

After about 2.5 hours, the bus took a turn from the highway and headed towards a dusty narrow road. The landscape was a treat to the eyes; green lush fields of paddy and mustard flowers paved the way. There were a few huts, small houses, a few distance away from each other. By and by we came across small villages and then moved further ahead into wilderness. The rolling hills, big trees were a constant companion along the journey.

After about 3-5 kms, the bus stopped in front of a huge building. And the board read…

I was amazed to see such a big lovely building against the expanse of fields and hills. As we entered, the principal, staff and few students gave us a hearty welcome!

The entrance hall had a beautiful painting of Sadhguru and the Principal did share a few thoughts and vision on Isha Vidhya school, the unique methodology in the curriculum, the innumerable scholarships and of course the stories of bright young kids.

We were ushered on a school tour guided by a few student volunteers. The excitement and the warmth they put forth while explaining to us about the school, classes and just about everything was truly heartening!

I can’t quite fathom how happy and gleeful these kids were in each of the classrooms we visited.

The school follows their own methodology from Kindergarten to 4th Std. This is quite an endeavor as many post graduate students come and study regarding the unique methodology and practices taught in the school!

The school has a Math Lab (which obviously was something new to me) where the Math concepts are taught practically with designs and materials. They also have a Computer lab where students are taught on the basics of computers and to make photo stories etc. A student showed us a photo-story of his family and school and it was very creative!

We had a glimpse of their Art and Craft class, Library and also Science labs.

The teachers too seemed to be humble, enthusiastic about the children and very grateful for being a part of Isha Vidhya.

The corridors and classrooms were equally decorated with puzzles, stories, English quotes, alphabets, Tamil alphabets and certain unique concepts were put up on the wall which had me racking my brains for I was learning something new right there.

We later had a tour of the school kitchen where sumptuous, nutritious lunch is prepared for the children everyday. They use the resources in a sustainable manner and the vegetables, grains are grown in the farms nearby. We could not see the farms presently owing to water shortage. The lands are dry and it is a stark reality which needs to be addressed.

On the whole, it was an overwhelming experience to see these children from poor families in the nearby villages, interact with us and talk about everything from science to computers to art to yoga to things galore!

What really struck me was – these children are the first ones to get educated in their family and they are so talented, humble and so driven to learn more. And they deserve to be given all the opportunities to realize their true potential!

Two enthusiastic students who took us on a tour

With the kiddos again

This was quite a beautiful experience to see the children smile, greet you time and again and so eager to show you around on what they are learning.

There were kids everywhere bidding us goodbye as we left the school premises.

Children bidding us goodbye!

Isha Vidhya is a non profit initiative by the Isha Foundation for educating and empowering the rural children in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. There are currently 9 schools in Tamil Nadu run by Isha Vidhya. Through the support of innumerable volunteers, donors, village communities the schools are creating a strong foundation for the children in education and making them employable on par with any student.

It is an amazing endeavor to be able to provide affordable and high quality education for our future citizens who will take on the world!

If you are willing to visit this school, do let me know or DM me.

Lastly, if you want to donate or raise funds for Isha Vidhya, please go through the below links.

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I always hear people say….. “So, make up your mind, have a plan and go reach for it.” “You should have a goal in life……. ambition is important.” “So you are a graduate now….. have you got a job?” I was always stumped when people asked me…. “what are you going to be when you grow up?”……. My answer always varied and was never a whole hearted answer. Over the years, I have not had the profession which I dreamt of as a kid. I have no regrets because I have learnt from the situations that came my way and the learning that I received was immense. Fortunately, the ideology of “Going Nowhere” has hit me. Come to think of it, its brilliant. Let me explain….. Haven’t we always had goals right from when we were kids…. Go to school, go to college, get a job, get a house, get a car, become…

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What are Tarot Cards? Tarot cards are a visual tool of divination that tell you about your conscious and unconscious motivations, influences and feelings through the imagery. Different symbols ARE different information here. The Tarot cards are based upon ancient occult knowledge of universal principles affecting symbols and energy. Is it Magic? No, although I […]

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I was inspired to write this post after reading an article from Bruce Kasanoff on similar lines.

Say, money will be taken care of for the rest of your life, for you and your family……

WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

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I am not interrogating you but think for yourself-“What would be the one thing or many things that you would do?”

Maybe you will find the answer to what you have been seeking or find out what your passion is or find out the things that bring you happiness and peace or you will be absolutely satisfied with the things that you are already doing now; That is just super awesome.

It may be a the first step to make some changes to your life and add in the things or passions that bring in happiness and peace.

Question yourself now!

I would be happy to hear the things or the list of things that you want to do but if you want to keep it to yourself and work on it …. so be it!

What would you do with or in your life if Money was taken care of forever for you and your family?

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It has been three decades into this world. I cannot fathom how it flew or did it? 😉 I have changed a lot like the seasons over the years. For the better of course 😉

Well, it does seem like a huge milestone considering the average life span to be 67 if I am not wrong. On the other hand, 30 is JUST a number.

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I had planned to celebrate my 30th birthday in the Himalayas. The plan held good indeed. My day started with meditation followed by a long moment of serenity at the Prashar Lake (9000 feet), Himachal Pradesh, India. There was a quaint temple, dedicated to Sage Prashar nearby, which looked like a pagoda. Later on, went on a long drive through the mountains to reach the Parvati Valley . To sit by the fierce and noisy Parvati river cutting across the valley was tremendously superb. The day ended at a Gurudwara, Manikaran Sahib. It was a birthday amongst the beautiful ranges of the Himalayas! And I sure didn’t want to be anywhere else.

Listing down a few random thoughts around 30, at this juncture of being 30… certainly not the conventional way!

I always used to think people in their thirties are boring, way too mature and know what they are doing with their life. As for me, I maybe a bit boring yet entertaining in a weird way, quite mature and certainly figuring out what I want to do with my life or figuring out life. See, I haven’t quite figured out that as well 😀

From the society point of view, I should have been married, had a kid, working religiously at a job and home………. well I am far from all of it. Phew! I am still living 😀

I have moved from being a routine ideal person to a weird spiritual seeker.

I have now found my religion- Travel, maybe I will find a culture of my bearing in a few years.

I have moved from careers in Science & Technology, Management to now Arts. Well, what can I say I am exploring.

I am on a path less travelled, figuring out my way, meeting wonderful people and soaking in the amazing experiences. Maybe that is the journey.

I feel stuck in reality or the so called routine.

I haven’t figured out what life is all about. I hope I do.

I have met complete strangers who are kind, humble and show a different perspective of life every time. I feel people are the same everywhere, maybe slightly on a different path realising life in their own set of perspectives.

I still have more adventures to take on. More on the bucket list.

I still have lots of places to visit, many people to share experiences and memories with and certainly more things to learn.

I am now on a spiritual path experiencing life in a different perspective.

Yes, my circle of friends is getting very small. Glad it is!

I am in a place where I do not care about what people say or think about me.

I am exploring myself & I am working on me more than anything else!

I have figured out that happiness, peace is within you- All you have to do is to knock on your inner doors.

I feel there is still lots to do in this world or learn from this world and time is so so less.

I have kinda learnt to enjoy the present moment because it is in the now that everything brilliant happens and these are the moments to cherish.

I don’t know what’s in store for me in the future but all I know and have learnt is to enjoy the journey because in the end it is all about exploring the world within! It has been completely fascinating a journey.

I will probably get on to philosophical or spiritual aspects in an another post.

Well these are a few thoughts running through my head at this moment. Well, maybe I have redefined the conventional being 30, more on the philosophical terms 😉 Sigh!

That’s me and yeah I am working on myself! The last 30 years have certainly taught me about the things that I don’t want in my life. I think I am getting to know me better.

Wonder what the next 30 years has in store?

So what is your story of turning 30? Or have you had different thoughts? Or have you did something weird altogether on your 30th birthday. Or where do you want to celebrate your 30th birthday? I am all ears…. Can’t wait to hear from you all…

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Is it a place where you come from? Is it your comfort zone? Is it a place where your loved ones are? Is it a place where you are YOURSELF? Is it a place where you cherish doing what you like? Is it your haven? Is it a place where your heart is? Is it a place where you are at peace?

Maybe, home is all of the above.

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I feel at home when I am with my loved ones. I feel at home when I am at peace with myself away from the familiarity of things. I am at home, when I maybe miles away from my loved ones but the memories make me feel at home.

But I also long for getting back home after my travels. Maybe I crave to return to my loved ones, to be in the familiarity of things, to get back to everything that was me- the OLD me….

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Well, that is contradicting huh! I am torn between two worlds- the world of the familiar and the world of the unknown.

Maybe home is just a state of mind! A place(need not be physical) where you have everything you love! It could be anywhere in the world/ in your mind.

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It is so ironic that we forget about the moment that we have now, TODAY! And we end up thinking about our dreams, plans for the next few years and about the past memories, fights, happenings that puts us down emotionally.

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Life is in the present, the moment that we are in now. It is today that you can make as your own. It is this moment where you are breathing, you are living each second, you are a tiny part of this magnanimous world, you are with your loved ones, you are making a difference in this world with your work -passion-love, you are experiencing this life with all your senses, you can make any memories that you want and wish, you can make a change today, you can make the impossible-possible today, you can strive for excellence today, you can make a start today, you can forgive your enemies today, you can do a good deed today, you can be grateful for today!

We are all so restless that we always think about what happened yesterday or a month back, what we are going to do tomorrow or a week from now. We live today as if in a memory of the past or a dream of the future and never in the present. Today may seem old in our eyes already; we tend to feel that it is like yesterday or it is going to be like tomorrow. We may take it for granted and it may seem old in our eyes.

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But each day is brand new! Everything is new this moment. The sun rise, the sun set, your work, your passion, your time with loved ones, the experience of now, your thoughts, your actions, your responses, your emotions…… it is all in the NOW and NEW! Be happy and enjoy today!

We have just lost our sense of awareness if I may say, we are leading our lives with notions, memories, thoughts of yesterday-tomorrow. We are not being AWARE of today, the happenings of today, the feelings of today, the emotions of today, the beauty of sharing today with your loved ones, the wonder of being YOU today, the gratitude for everything that you have today, the grandeur of life today, the thought that today is today and NOW!

All in all, we are missing out on the best time that we have on our hands and losing out on relationships, opportunities, changes, chances, loved ones, experiences just by thinking on the yester or the morrow.

So make the change today, be aware of today! NOW! Let’s neither live again for yesterday nor live for tomorrow.

Well a lot of questions….. But are we trying to figure out the answers to the above?

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Somewhere we humans have lost the meaning of life. It certainly ain’t about amassing wealth, bent on materialistic cravings, man-made rat-races, ridiculous overrated cycle of birth-education-marriage-death! Well the cycle maybe a part of life but not LIFE altogether. Certainly not!

I am not saying that we all should become saints, all I want to say is that one has to figure out one’ calling or one’s self in life. It could all be about being a leader, a CEO, an artist, a mechanic, a farmer, a musician or probably a greater calling to serve mankind, to be of some service to the citizens of this world. Whatever be your calling, you are bound to find your way into your SELF. That journey is the most amazing, interesting and a peaceful one filled with wonder and happiness.

Find out what fires your senses and at the same time brings in an inner peace. Find out that one / variety of things that you want to do till your last breath. Find what is irrelevant and unnecessary in your life. Find out what brings in utter joy- it could be the simplest of things.

Try to un-become everything that is not you. Try to discard all the things that are not you. I sure think that your heart and soul knows the way and is whispering in your deep corners to brave on and be a part of the eternal journey into you. Maybe it is all about unbecoming you, shedding all the layers, masks, things that are not you.

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Probably we would figure out more things when we know ourselves better. Probably we will learn more about life, our souls, our purpose, the universe……

At this point in my life, this is what I have understood. But I am not sure. Maybe there could be other revelations further on in the journey. Let’s see….

Do your ring in on similar findings? Have you figured your calling in life? Do you think life is something else altogether?

Would be happy to hear from you all and know more about life in a different perspective?

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About me

Adventurer, Traveller, Writer, Blogger Photographer, Philosopher, Seeker.
I am an adventurer, always wanting to live on the edge. The pursuit of “Meaning of Life” has been my raison d’être and of course truly believe in “Variety is the spice of Life!”